Supporting Startup Global Expansion Through Partnerships with Overseas Companies such as AWS, ZVC, and Salesforce
Backing AI Startups Including Cocswave, Mago, and Pebblous
LG Uplus supports the growth and global expansion of domestic AI startups with technological competitiveness. CEO Hong Beomsik (left) takes a commemorative photo with the startup CEOs selected for Shift Phase 2. Photo by LG Uplus
LG Uplus has taken the initiative to support the growth and global expansion of domestic artificial intelligence (AI) startups with technological competitiveness. The company aims to strengthen the AI startup ecosystem through the second edition of "Shift Day," following last year's inaugural event.
On November 24, LG Uplus announced that it held "Shift Day" at its Yongsan headquarters in Seoul to share the results of its collaboration with startups and discuss future directions. The event was attended by approximately 150 people, including CEO Hong Beomsik, key executives, and representatives from startups that participated in Shift Seasons 1 and 2.
Shift Day is an event where LG Uplus shares the outcomes of its AI open innovation program, "Shift," and introduces the newly selected startups for Season 2. LG Uplus aims to discover promising early-stage startups in the field of future AI technologies, support them through technology collaboration, business partnerships, and investment, and thereby expand the AI ecosystem.
On this day, LG Uplus unveiled the 11 startups that were ultimately selected for Shift Season 2. The cohort consists of 4 AI agent companies, 4 companies specializing in AI and machine learning operations (MLOps), 1 AI security company, and 2 AI software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies, for a total of 11 (Cocswave, Mago, Pebblous, Graphae, Enhance, Hodoo Labs, OptAI, IVE, JetAI, Cipher Data, and Hire Diversity). The participating companies presented their AI technologies, future goals, and plans for collaboration with LG Uplus.
LG Uplus will also provide opportunities for global expansion to the startups in Shift Season 2. To begin with, the company will collaborate with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to help reduce basic costs required for AI development and experimentation. In addition, LG Uplus will establish a strategic co-investment structure with Japanese and Southeast Asian investment firm Z Venture Capital (ZVC), and offer global sales and marketing opportunities through collaboration with Salesforce in the United States.
Support for participation in overseas exhibitions will also continue. LG Uplus is assisting AI startups in joining MWC in Barcelona, Spain, and five startups from Shift Seasons 1 and 2 are scheduled to participate in the global startup event "4YFN (4 Years From Now)" at MWC26 next year.
Going forward, LG Uplus plans to further expand joint programs with global partners centered around Shift. The company is also considering establishing joint funds with overseas firms to build a global investment ecosystem, extending its support beyond startups.
CEO Hong Beomsik of LG Uplus stated, "Shift is an AI innovation program that provides essential support for startups-including technology, business, and investment-all in one place, in line with LG Uplus's 'Simply. U+' brand philosophy. We will support startups throughout their entire growth process so they can achieve real business results, and we will establish globally competitive collaboration models."
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